Tournaments

Key Encounters: British Open RD1 Day Two

22 March 2016

#PSAWorldTour

The second day of action at the 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament contains part of one of the greatest first round draws in the history of the iconic event with some electric clashes set to light up the courts in Hull.

Men’s Draw

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World Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad and fellow Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad go head-to-head in a breathtaking first round encounter that will see them meet for the third time on the PSA World Tour.

The duo, who are separated by just three places in the world rankings, last played each other in the 2014 Canary Wharf Classic and Mosaad will come into the clash as the favourite having recently reached the final of the 2016 instalment of that tournament in London. It doesn’t get easier for either player though in the second round as the winner will face either Egyptian maverick Mazen Hesham or the talented Fares Dessouki.

Hesham has been out with a hip injury since December’s Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open but did lose out to Dessouki in their only professional meeting five months ago in the Delaware Investments US Open.

However, Dessouki has struggled for form in recent months which has seen him fail to impose himself in the world’s top 20. As a result, this fixture against Hesham could prove to be the most unpredictable of all the first round ties.

Former World No.1 James Willstrop will play Tarek Momen in another of the day’s mouthwatering matches. ‘The Marksman’ will put his pinpoint accuracy up against Momen’s speed and deception in what promises to be a highly engaging affair. The winner could meet current World No.1 and title holder Mohamed Elshorbagy in the next round who kickstarts his attempts to claim a fifth successive World Series crown against Nicolas Mueller.

Canary Wharf Classic champion Mathieu Castagnet will look to maintain his superb form into his first round encounter with Indian No.1 Saurav Ghosal and the winner will play either Marwan Elshorbagy or Borja Golan who will contest the day’s other match.

Women’s Draw

2015 winner Camille Serme gets the defence of her title under way against wildcard Fiona Moverley in the Women’s event and will have to fight against a passionate crowd that will back local favourite Moverley to the hilt.

Serme, who became the first Frenchwoman ever to win the British Open with victory over current World No.1 Laura Massaro in last year’s final, is certain to face another local player in the second round if she advances, with either Emily Whitlock or Victoria Lust awaiting her.

World Junior Champion Nouran Gohar is one to watch at this year’s British Open and goes up against Heba El Torky in an all-Egyptian first round affair on day two.

Gohar has had a meteoric rise to the top of the women’s game and has recorded notable wins over World No.2 Nicol David and Massaro so far in the 2015/16 campaign. The winner will progress to face Annie Au, who plays Sarah Campion, in the next round.

Malaysia’s Delia Arnold shocked the squash world last year when she defeated Alison Waters, Au and Raneem El Welily en route to a maiden World Series semi-final. Arnold faces Line Hansen on day two and will do battle with Massaro, who meets Olivia Blatchford, in the next round if both players win.

Egyptian shot-making sensation Raneem El Welily is also in action on the second day against Nele Gilis, while Sarah-Jane Perry takes on Mariam Metwally.

Draw – Men’s 2016 Allam British Open: Top Half
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [Q] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
James Willstrop (ENG) v Tarek Momen (EGY)
Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
[Q] Raphael Kandra (GER) v [6] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
[8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v Saurav Ghosal (IND)
Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v Borja Golan (ESP)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) v Fares Dessouki (EGY)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [4] Omar Mosaad (EGY)

Draw – Women’s 2016 Allam British Open: Top Half
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [Q] Olivia Blatchford (USA)
Line Hansen (DEN) v [15] Delia Arnold (MAS)
[16] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v Victoria Lust (ENG)
[WC] Fiona Moverley (ENG) v [5] Camille Serme (FRA)
[8] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v Heba El Torky (EGY)
[Q] Sarah Campion (ENG) v [9] Annie Au (HKG)
[11] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v [Q] Mariam Metwally (EGY)
[Q] Nele Gillis (BEL) v [3] Raneem El Welily (EGY)

Watch live action from the Allam British Open on SQUASHTV*. It is also shown in Europe on Eurosport Player. Click here to find out more.